The Gaslight Anthem’s music embraces many elements of blues, classic rock, and punk rock. The band has described their sound as “Bruce Springsteen singing for a Cure cover band, with a tinge more aggression.” The group’s fondness for Springsteen, a significant influence on their music, is celebrated by fans and critics alike. Representative of such views, one critic wrote, “The Gaslight Anthem are like something out of speculative fiction: this is what pop music would be if Springsteen hadn’t listened to his producer, let the Ramones record ‘Hungry Heart,’ and launched the C.B.G.B.’ers into megastardom.”
The band released its first LP, Sink or Swim, in 2007 through XOXO Records, and toured with many reputable bands, including Against Me!, The Draft, Dead to Me, and Fake Problems.
The Gaslight Anthem’s second release, a 4-song EP entitled Señor and the Queen, was released on January 29th, 2008 by Sabot Productions.
Their second full-length, The ‘59 Sound, was released on August 19, 2008 on Side One Dummy Records. The album debuted at #70 on the Billboard top 200. It was produced by Ted Hutt, who has produced albums for The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, and MxPx.
On August 6, 2008 they became the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the publication having previously written a single word about them.
In Fall 2008, the band toured with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, and Thrice.
On December 9, 2008, the Gaslight Anthem made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, performing the song the “The ‘59 Sound.” On January 30, 2009, they appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, again playing “The ‘59 Sound.”
Their third full-length, American Slang, was released on June 15, 2010, on Side One Dummy Records. The Bring It On Songfacts reports that it finds the band moving away from the fictional lyrics and '50s-inspired sound of their previous records.
In 2010 they appeared on the main stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK along with Arcade Fire, The Libertines and Modest Mouse.
Their fourth full-length, Handwritten was released on July 23, 2012 in the UK, and on July 24 in the US. The lead single, "45", was aired for the first time worldwide as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World on April 30, 2012 on BBC Radio 1 and was released on iTunes on May 8, 2012. Handwritten was called by The Rolling Stone their "biggest sounding, most straightforward album"
06 Underneath the Ground
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
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Call the papers up tomorrow, say we did the best we can.
'Cause our doctor's in the hospital, the poet just laid down.
There's one good man I know, and he can't talk right now.
I'd like to hear what you'd say to me if I was bulletproof and free again.
Or what you'd shout if I was dead in the ground, and buried under another name?
Tell my sins to God out loud.
Would you cry, cry 'cause I was gone?
Would you spit and hiss and curse my name,
And embarrass me to the other graves?
Would you lay right down with me, underneath the ground?
Now who you think I am?
Worse than all the rest?
That's what I'll be now, just like no one said.
Did anybody see that, there's a crack right down my head.
But mama, how they'll cheer for us, while the blood drips down our legs.
I'd like to know if you could see through the soul
Like I could see to your soul back then.
And reach your hands through all the hurt and defenses,
Would you still try if you knew I was gone?
Or would you talk about if I loved her now?
Tell my sins to God out loud.
Would you cry, cry 'cause I was gone?
Would you spit and hiss and curse my name,
And embarrass me to the other graves?
Would you lay right down with me, underneath the ground?
Underneath the ground?
(I wanna caution you to watch out for the wolves.
And for the mad, mad weather.
I wanna caution you to watch out for the wolves.
And for someday, when you're older)
Or would you talk about if I loved her now?
Tell my sins to God out loud.
Would you cry, cry 'cause I was gone?
Would you spit and hiss and curse my name,
And embarrass me to the other graves?
Would you lay right down with me, underneath the ground?
Underneath the ground?
I wanna thank you all for your courtesy.
I wanna thank you all for watching us bleed.
I wanna thank you all for your courtesy.
I wanna thank you all for watching us bleed.
Underneath the ground.
The song tells a story of regret and introspection as the singer ponders what people would say or do if he was no longer around. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer acknowledging that their time is up and they've done all they can. They mention the poet and doctor being unavailable and end the verse with the line "There's one good man I know, and he can't talk right now" which could refer to someone who has passed away or is unable to speak due to illness.
The chorus poses a series of questions to the listener, asking what they would say or do if the singer was gone. They wonder if people would talk about their current love interest or their flaws and sins, or if they would mourn them or curse their name. The final line shifts the focus to a more somber note, asking if the person would be willing to join the singer in death and be buried together.
In the second verse, the singer continues to reflect on their life and what others would say about them after they're gone. They wonder if anyone thinks they're worse than the rest, which may imply guilt or a troubled past. The line "there's a crack right down my head" could suggest mental instability or a warning sign that has gone unnoticed. The verse ends with the image of bleeding and being cheered for, implying that the singer's life has been a struggle, but others have watched it all play out with a sense of fascination or entertainment.
Overall, "Underneath the Ground" is a poignant and melancholy exploration of mortality and how we're perceived by others. It's a reminder to live our lives, imperfect as they may be, with intention and purpose, knowing that one day we will be gone and only memories and perceptions of us will remain.
Line by Line Meaning
That's enough, my man, it's time to clap our hands.
Let's stop what we're doing and celebrate what we've accomplished so far.
Call the papers up tomorrow, say we did the best we can.
Tell the press that we've done everything we could.
'Cause our doctor's in the hospital, the poet just laid down.
Our team is falling apart; the doctor is sick, and the poet has just died.
There's one good man I know, and he can't talk right now.
We have one person we can always count on, but unfortunately, they cannot speak at the moment.
I'd like to hear what you'd say to me if I was bulletproof and free again.
If I could not be harmed and had no limitations, what would you say to me?
Or what you'd shout if I was dead in the ground, and buried under another name?
How would you react if I was buried under a different name and everyone thought I was someone else?
Or would you talk about if I loved her now?
Would you discuss my current feelings for someone else?
Tell my sins to God out loud.
Confess my wrongdoings to God openly.
Would you cry, cry 'cause I was gone?
Would you shed tears because I am no longer here?
Would you spit and hiss and curse my name,
Would you speak ill of me and curse my name?
And embarrass me to the other graves?
Would you shame me in front of everyone else who has passed away?
Would you lay right down with me, underneath the ground?
Would you accompany me in death by lying next to me in the grave?
Now who you think I am?
Do you even know who I truly am?
Worse than all the rest?
Am I worse than everyone else?
That's what I'll be now, just like no one said.
I will embrace this image of being worse than others, even though nobody actually called me that.
Did anybody see that, there's a crack right down my head.
Can anyone notice the damage that has been done to me, even if it isn't physical?
But mama, how they'll cheer for us, while the blood drips down our legs.
Even though we are hurting, people will still be excited and admire what we do.
I'd like to know if you could see through the soul
Can you see past my exterior and into my true self?
Like I could see to your soul back then.
I used to be able to look past your exterior and truly see who you were.
And reach your hands through all the hurt and defenses,
Can you break through my emotional walls and reach me in my vulnerable state?
Would you still try if you knew I was gone?
Would you still attempt to help me even if I am no longer here?
I wanna caution you to watch out for the wolves.
Be wary of those who may harm you.
And for the mad, mad weather.
Also be careful of any uncontrollable and unpredictable situations.
I wanna thank you all for your courtesy.
I appreciate everyone's kindness.
I wanna thank you all for watching us bleed.
I am grateful for everyone who has been there to witness our struggles.
Underneath the ground.
This phrase is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the underlying theme of death and the afterlife.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind